Minerals Council of South Africa( formerly Chamber of Mines SA) CEO Roger Baxter has decided to step down when his contract expires in April 2023, ending nearly nine years in the leadership role of “tirelessly promoting, championing, and protecting the South African mining industry”.
In a widely distributed press statement on October 31, Nolitha Fakude, President of the Minerals Council stated that the Minerals Council Office Bearers have embarked on a process to appoint a new CEO designate who will support Roger through to the conclusion of his contract.
“Roger has led the organisation for nine years through momentous changes and challenging times, playing a key leadership role at the Minerals Council during this period of positive and transformative change. He has been an exemplary leader and CEO of the Minerals Council and he has worked tirelessly to promote and position the mining industry and the country for transformative growth and to #MakingMiningMatter,” Fakude added.
Under Baxter’ss leadership, according to the statement, the Minerals Council :
• Rebranded and renamed the 132-year-old organisation.
• Elected the first woman President in its history.
• Managed the COVID-19 pandemic better than any other sector, by vaccinating 77% of the workforce, thus helping to bail out the economy for two consecutive years.
• Helped to create a better legislative and policy environment for the sector through lobbying and legal processes.
• Fought state capture and unethical leadership.
• Led the mining sector in recording its safest year on record in 2019 through real visible and felt CEO-ship.
Roger joined the then-Chamber of Mines in 1992, taking a one-year break in 1999 to work in the stockbroking industry, before returning to the Chamber as its Chief Economist. He then joined Rio Tinto for a year in 2011 before the Chamber persuaded him to return in 2012 and he was appointed Senior Executive in 2012, then COO in 2014 and then CEO in 2015.
